The state Assembly labor committee's hearing on the bill -- which would prohibit businesses and unions from reaching agreements requiring all workers, not just union members, to pay union dues -- was scheduled to last 10 hours, but went longer. Committee Chairman Andre Jacque, a DePere Republican, said people who had been turned away from a Senate committee hearing would get to testify first.

Related Content

Madison bankruptcy attorney James Murray sarcastically testified in favor of the bill, saying it would benefit bankruptcy lawyers.

"This will send a clear message that Wisconsin is open for bankruptcy," Murray said.

"It is inexcusable that any American should have money taken out of their paycheck to be given to anything that they don't agree with,” said Kristi LaCroix, who supports right-to-work legislation.

"This is not about the working people. It's about doing what some of your strategies haven't worked doing and that is destroy the unions because the unions basically support Democrats,” said Will Williams, who is against right-to-work legislation.

There were few outbursts,but a lot of passion about safety training sponsored by unions.

“Let's not do this to Wisconsin. Don't do this to our training and safety,” said Terry McGowan, president of Operating Engineers Local 139.

Assistant majority leader, Republican Dan Knodl of Germantown, said right-to-work is an important piece of the puzzle for improving Wisconsin's economy.

“We're not denying anybody those opportunities, whether they go to a university, whether they go to union training, get those skills,” Knodl said.

Marquette University economist Abdur Chowdhury also testified against a right-to-work law.

“Evidences have shown, if you have a right-to-work law, it doesn't attract new businesses in the state,” he said.

One man was removed from the hearing for protesting the governor's budget.

Testimony was expected to last until 8 p.m. Monday, but kept going until after 9 p.m.

The Labor Committee did not vote Monday night. The full Assembly is expected to vote Thursday.

Twenty-four other states have passed similar legislation to prohibit businesses and unions from reaching agreements requiring all workers, not just union members, to pay union dues.